Kimberly Houle and Elizabeth Simmons mentor Girl Scouts in Troop 59095
JAFFREY, NH – Two Girl Scout volunteers have been recognized by Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains with the New Found Treasure award for their outstanding volunteer work.
Kimberly Houle and Elizabeth Simmons were presented with the recognition at an investiture ceremony on June 12.
Houle, 36, of Jaffrey began with Troop 59095 this year and embraced the role as the troop’s cookie sales coordinator. Not only did her positivity and enthusiasm encourage the girls to meet their troop’s goals, but they were exceeded in a highly unusual cookie season. Troop Leader and Council Lead Volunteer Support Specialist Amanda Powell credits Kim for teaching the girls how to manage their cookie sales and ensured they all had the opportunity to assist with handling the money, as well as interacting with customers at their cookie booths.
Troop parent Rhonda Nubuor agreed that Houle ran the cookie season with tremendous efficiency and that all goals were exceeded.
Powell said, “Kim has rolled with every challenge that was faced with this year’s cookie sales. Every shortage and delay were responded with a ‘We can make that work,’ and she did.”
Because the girls were able to exceed their goals, the troop will be able to spend the summer going on trips and giving back to their community.
Simmons, 32, of Jaffrey became a leader for Troop 59095 in 2021. She was a Girl Scout growing up and her mother was her leader. When her daughter was old enough to join, she immediately registered herself as a troop leader and her daughter as a new Girl Scout.
Powell, who is her co-leader, said “Liz has been a fantastic addition to the troop and she is unfailingly optimistic, has a wealth of ideas and knowledge to share with the girls, and she is always ready to tackle anything, including recruiting new adults and girls for the troop. She was a huge support during cookie season with cookie booths and rallying the girls for a successful booth sale. The troop surpassed their goal and sold over 2,100 boxes of cookies.”
Nubuor, who has two girls in the troop, said Simmons’ “optimism is contagious and her enthusiasm for Girl Scouting is incredible. Not only is she a wonderful troop co-leader, but the parents of the girls in the troop and the girls themselves love her. She has been a treasure to this troop!”
The New Found Treasure Award recognizes an adult volunteer who is new to Girl Scouting and has provided exemplary volunteer service. Such a volunteer has made a significant, positive impact on a Girl Scout troop, community, or geographic area, and has gone above and beyond to provide and exceptional Girl Scout experience.
Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is the council serving girls across New Hampshire and Vermont. To find out more about Girl Scouts, visit www.girlscoutsgwm.org.
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Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscouts.org.
Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains serves girls throughout New Hampshire and Vermont through volunteer-run troops, events, and virtual programs. Visit www.girlscoutsgwm.org to learn more.